Bulova 1934 Lone Eagle

Here's the 'rest of the story' on this watch.

His name is John M and mentioned in his eBay listing that this was his dear fathers watch. I sent him a message, explaining that I was a Bulova collector and would be proud to be the caretaker of this wonderful watch. We agree on a price that he felt was fair and he sent me the watch. I asked him to give me any history and following is the story he sent, I quote directly from his letter.

" Here is what I know of the history of the watch. Both my parents were relatively poor. My father started out as a coal miner in Pennsylvania. Later, because he spoke both English and Italian he became a shop steward of a textile plant in Patterson, New Jersey. Somewhere between those two jobs, he met my mother.

My mother's parents were both born in Italy and grew up in Nutely, New Jersey. They were quite poor and she quit school because she was made fun of because her clothes were out of fashion hand-me-downs. She educated herself through reading and crossword puzzles. You would never know she didn't finish High School.

By the initials it is determined that she gave this to my father before they were married but I do not know if there was an event celebrating this gift. I do know that the watch sold for $42.50 in the early 1930's, I've included a picture of an advertisement I found online. In todays dollars that is $650. So not having money she was able to buy this watch. It must have been an important occasion.

He boxed with the Golden Gloves for a while and also built the house we grew up in. He worked with his hands, seldom dressed up to wear a watch like this and therefore hardly wore this watch, if at all. It became a sore spot to get information from my mother when my dad died, Eventually mom died also.

The box was found in the back of a drawer. It must have meant a lot to him as he preserved it in the original box and case all his life. I have kept it for 25 years and had it serviced in 2002. I wore it 2 or 3 times and then decided it was too special and kept it as my father did, in it's original case.

It's time it gets to be part of a collection of other similar watches to be appreciated for what it once was, and now is - a part of history. "

Thank You John. I am honored to be the new caretaker of the wonderful old Bulova!

I often wonder, like I suspect many collectors, what stories this old 'antique' thing could tell us.

There's a line in a Jimmy Buffet song that goes like this: "I wish that we could sit upon the bed in some motel, and listen to the stories it could tell."

It is SO exciting to hear the story of this watch, who bought it, who she gave it to and how greatly it was treasured. I know who those initials belong to and the story of their lives. It's a true joy.

Someday my own son will hopefully hold this beauty in his hand and think, like John, "I'm not sure I can part with this one." 

Oh, almost forgot, here's a family picture. I call this one "My Flock of Lone Eagles" 

They keep following me home, what can I do?

Great watch... great story.  This is why I collect.

Nice collection